Changing Policing Theories

for 21st century societies

3rd edition

This book is a thoroughly revised edition of the book previously published in 1999 and 2005, and discusses the history and philosophy of policing. It is also a comparative study of the practice of policing in Australia, Britain and U.S.A.

The first part of the book shows that the divergent histories and constitutional and cultural differences of the three nations affect the styles of policing in each country.

The second part discusses society and crime in the 21st century, analysing crime and disorder on the streets, problems involved in street policing, and the effect of new technology, for example CCTV, as a crime-fighting tool, and the pervasive involvement of drugs and alcohol in crime, particularly street crime.

The third part of the book discusses the accountability of police in all aspects, in particular the accountability of police organisations to the government, the accountability of senior officers to the public and the accountability of individual police officers to the persons with whom they come into contact.

The fourth part of the book is wholly new. It examines the changing relationship between police and the state, in particular with regard to policing terrorism, and changes in the nature of crime, brought about by the use of communication technology and the difficulties of prosecuting cases where Internet crime transcends jurisdictional boundaries. The final chapter looks ahead to 2029, the bicentenary of the establishment of first modern police force in London, and offers some thoughts on the future directions of policing.

CONTENTS

Part 1 The Social and Historical Contexts of Policing

The Triangle of Tension

The History of Policing

Crime - A Police Problem or a Social Problem?Policing Responses to Social change - 1960s to 1990s

Part 2 Society and Crime in the 21st Century

Society and crime in the 21st CenturyCurrent Police Responses to Crime and Disorder

Problems of Policing the Streets

Ethics, Discipline and the Behaviour of Individual Officers

Part 3 Accountability

Control, Independence and Accountability in Policing

Police Accountability in Australia

Police Accountability in Britain

Police Accountability in United States

Part 4 Policing in the 21st Century

Policing and the StateChanging in Crime in a Changing World

Towards the Bicentenary of Policing

Bibliography/ Table of Statutes/ Table of Cases/ Index

REVIEWS

Reviews of previous editions:Changing Policing Theories by Charles Edwards is an excellent text book for the budding police officer who in New South Wales, and very soon in Victoria, needs to navigate the undulating landscape of university level study to become a confirmed police officer. … [The book contains] a great deal of information and intellectual stimulation.

NSW Police News, Vol 85 No 9, September 2005

A very comprehensive look at policing in three western societies … Well worth the money.